Upcoming Catholic Appeal

The 83rd Annual Catholic Appeal, with this year’s theme, “Renew the Face of the Earth,” will begin just one week from now on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Our theme reminds us that our acts of charity and love renew those around us. With each outstretched helping hand, we create a small ripple effect of care. This kindness spreads and allows us to play a part in renewing the face of the entire earth — starting here in our Diocese of Fall River. 

All around us are signs of spring, reawakening our surroundings after a long winter. Having just celebrated Christ’s glorious resurrection, our spirits, too, have experienced a rebirth, stepping out of the darkness and into the light. Through the working of the Holy Spirit, God constantly affirms us. In the Book of Genesis, Noah uses a dove to deliver signs of receding flood waters back to the arc, promising a new beginning after a period of trial and adversity. Even then, hope came on the wings of a dove.

How can we be modern-day messengers of renewal? As a united, active Church focused on the Gospel, the teachings, and the presence of Jesus, the faithful of the Diocese of Fall River will renew the face of the earth, renew our faith community, renew a spirit of hope and joy, and renew our Church together. This year, we celebrate our 120th anniversary as a diocese. I can think of no better way to mark this historic milestone than by joining together in support of the Catholic Appeal. Should your circumstances allow, please consider making a contribution of any size to help us carry out our mission. When what we believe in our hearts extends to what we do in our everyday lives, we can – and will – make a positive impact on the lives of those in need throughout our diocese.

2024 Catholic Appeal Video: “Renew the Face of the Earth”

Also available:

Portuguese: https://vimeo.com/934894995 

Spanish: https://vimeo.com/934900713

You are Making a Difference

The Catholic Appeal provides funding for social services and childcare programs such as Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Fall River, St. Vincent’s Services, Catholic Youth Organization, and Community Action for Better Housing. The Ministry to the Sick received funds to support the Hospital Chaplaincy and Nursing Homes Pastoral Support. 

Additionally, a portion of the donations received through the Annual Catholic Appeal benefitted our retired and infirmed priests, our Catholic Schools, as well as the Office for Religious, the Permanent Diaconate, the Spanish Apostolate, St. Mary’s Cathedral support, the Vocations Office and the support of Seminarians. The generosity of many people across our Dioceses allows us to continue offering a weekly TV Mass and keep people connected through The Anchor newspaper. These funds also make possible the invaluable mission of the Office of the Secretariat for the New Evangelization to aid the Diocese of Fall River’s parishes and personnel to evangelize and form engaged disciples for Christ. 

For a breakdown of the distribution of funds, please take a moment to review the 2023 Catholic Appeal Statement of Revenue and Expenditures: https://www.catholicfoundationsema.org/2023-revenue-and-expenditures.

Holy Spirit, renew our joy. 
Holy Spirit, renew our faith. Help us renew the face of the earth!

Yours in Christ,
Bishop da Cunha